The Track 025 - Cynthia Millman

Cynthia Millman at her home in New York City

This month is the 10th anniversary of the publication of the autobiography Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop, and I am thrilled to be joined by its co-author, Cynthia Millman. A long-time Lindy Hopper in her own right, Cynthia first met Frankie Manning in 1986.  She performed with the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers for five years under his artistic direction, and later studied, taught, partnered, and lectured with Frankie.  She is Library Director at The Town School in Manhattan, has contributed articles to Dance Magazine, The International Encyclopedia of Dance, and African American National Biography, and has served on the board of directors of the Frankie Manning Foundation since its inception.

I joined Cynthia at her home in New York City to talk about her own discovery of Lindy Hop, the NYC swing dance scene of the 1980s & 1990s, and how the modern Lindy Hop world compares to that period, commonly referred to as the “swing revival."

We also discussed what it was like writing the book with Frankie, some of her favorite stories that did and didn’t make it into the book, and reflected on Frankie’s legacy, including the work done by the Frankie Manning Foundation.